This invention relates to a massaging table and more particularly to a device for mechanically kneading the body of a patient.

Massaging usually takes the form of rubbing, stroking, kneading or tapping. Kneading is also sometimes resorted to prior to other types of massaging for the purpose of limbering up the muscles. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a table for kneading the body of a patient mechanically so that the masseur may be free to perform other work after having adjusted his patient and machine for mechanical kneading. Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide a massaging table having a mechanism for kneading patients disposed thereon.

Another object of the invention is to provide a massaging table having kneading means which travel axially of the table to effect a kneading action at constantly changing portions of the patients body.

A further object of the invention is to provide a massaging table for a kneading wherein the kneading is effected through a flexible pad on which the patient is disposed.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a massaging table wherein the kneading means are actuated by traveling engagement with a fixed cam.

Still another object of the invention is to provide kneading mechanism in which the characteristics of the kneading action may be varied.

These and other objects will be apparent from the following specification when taken with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the table having its pad removed,

Fig. 2 is a side elevation,

Pg. 3 is a section on the line III-HI of Fig. 2,

Fig. 4 is a partial longitudinal vertical section showing parts of the invention in detail,

Fig. 5 is a portion of an alternative form of cam, and

Fig. 6 is a section on the line VI-VI of Fig. 3.

Referring particularly to the drawings, the reference character I indicates a table top on which is disposed a pad 2 preferably of sponge rubber although it may be of some other flexible material. Centrally of the top I and on either side thereof are provided brackets 3 to which are pivoted vertical supports 4 rigidly connected to a framework 5. The table top I is supported in its pivotal relation to the vertical supports 4 by arms 6 having longitudinal slots I, pivoted to the underside of the table top I. Rigidly secured to the framework 5 and projecting laterally therefrom and through the slots 1 are screws 8, to which are threaded hand wheels 9 in such a manner that the taking up of the hand wheels 9 on the screws 8 results in clamping the arms 6 to the framework 5. Thus should it be desired to adjust the angular relation of the top I with respect to the vertical supports 4, it is merely necessary to turn back the hand wheels 9 slightly, make the adjustment and take up on the hand wheels 9 to fix the adjustment.

Disposed beneath the table top I and centrally thereof is a laterally extending guided member I 5, supported for longitudinal movement with respect to the table top I on guideways I6. A portion of the guided member I5 projects upwardly through a slot IT in the table top I and has a recessed portion I8 for receiving a bar l9 extending longitudinally of the slot I! and being set in the surface of the table top I so as to be flush with the top thereof. The bar I9 as will be observed from Fig. 1 divides the slot I'I into two parts.

The guided member I5 is also provided with a pair of bores 20 extending vertically therethrough and receiving cylindrical kneading members 2| having pivotally mounted in the upper ends thereof rollers 22. The lower ends of the kneading members 2| are bifurcated and have pivoted thereto levers 23. The levers 23 have midway between the ends thereof longitudinally extending slots 24 through which project pins 25 mounted in the depending cars 26 associated with the guided member I5. Thus when the levers 23 are oscillated about the pins 25, the kneading members 2| are reciprocated vertically lifting the sponge rubber pad 2 on the table top I as shown particularly in Fig. 2.

The levers 23 are oscillated by means of longitudinally extending cams 28 having a generally sinuous configuration. The cams 28 are formed as a part of the guideways I6 secured to the bottom of the table top I and are so arranged that they engage the free ends of the levers 23.

The guided member I5 has threaded in a depending portion 29 thereof an elongated screw 30 which is driven by a motor 3| and has a free end thereof mounted in a bearing 32. The motor 3! preferably is supported from the lower side of the table top I by a bracket 33 connected to rubber mountings 34 on the motor frame, the rubber mountings being for the purpose of minimizing vibration of the table top I. The speed of the screw 30 is suitably reduced by a gear box 35. Thus as the screw 30 is rotated, the guided member I5 is moved longitudinally of the table along the guideways l6 carrying therewith the kneading members 2| and the levers 23 at the same time moving the free ends of the levers 23 against the cams 28. Thus as the levers 23 move over the cams 28 they are oscillated about the pins 25 and the kneading members 2| are reciprocated in a direction normal to the surface of the table top For adapting the mechanism thus far described for continuous operation, there is provided a reversing switch 36 for reversing the direction of rotation of the screw 30 at each end of its stroke. The reversing switch 36 is actuated by a longitudinally extending rod 31 supported at its outer end by a depending bracket 38 and disposed on the rod 31 are fixed stops 40. Also disposed on the rod 31 are adjustable stops 4|. Arranged for contacting the stops is an arm 42 depending from the guided member l5 and having the rod 31 projecting through the lower end thereof. Thus as the guided member I5 is moved toward one end of its stroke by the screw 30, the arm 42 engages one of the adjustable stops 4| on the rod 31 to actuate the reversing switch 36 to reverse the direction of rotation of the screw 30. It will be evident that by varying the position of the adjustable stops 4| any desired travel of the guided member l5 and consequently the kneading members 2| may be obtained. The fixed stops 40 are provided as a safety feature in order to reverse the direction of rotation of the screw 30 in the event that one of the adjustable stops 4| should become loose or be not secured tightly to the rod 3'! by an oversight. A knob 43 is provided on the outer end of the rod '31 to provide a manual control for the reversing switch 36.

It is sometimes desirable to vary the characteristic of the stroke of the kneading members 2|. Accordingly, my invention may be provided with a cam as shown in Fig. 5 wherein the length of dwell accorded to the kneading members 2| may be varied. The construction disclosed in Fig. 5 which is an example of an adjustable cam comprises a cam of generally sinuous configuration longitudinally divided into two parts 48 and 49, the two parts being secured together by nuts and bolts 58. One of the parts preferably the outer one is provided with slots 5| through which the securing bolts extend. Thus by loosening the securing nuts, the outer part of the cam may be adjusted longitudinally relatively to the inner part as shown. The scope of adjustment may be further varied by providing the outer half of the cam in several portions so that one portion may carry one adjustment and another portion another adjustment.

In order to adjust the stroke of the kneading members 2| the ears 26 carrying the pins 25 are adjustable toward and away from the kneading members 2| so that the efiective lever arms of the levers 23 may be varied. As shown particularly in Fig. 6, the ears 26 are connected to a sliding member 55 having a dove tailed connection with the guided member I5. Set screws 56 are provided to lock the sliding members 55 in their adjusted positions with respect to the guided member l5. Accordingly, in order to change the magnitude of the stroke of the kneading members 22 it is merely necessary to loosen the set screws 56 and to slide the sliding members 55 carrying the ears 26 along the guided member :5 until the desired adjustment has been obtained. The adjustment is then fixed by tightening the set screws 55. It will be observed that the slot 24 serves not only to permit adjustment as above outlined, but also permits the relative pivotal movement of the levers 23 about the kneading members 2|.

The present embodiment of the invention is specifically for the purpose of kneading the back of a patient at opposite sides of the spine. Hence the width of the slot l1 and the dividing bar |9 should be of such proportions as to permit the kneading members 2| to act on the opposite sides of the spine of the average person. It is preferred that the cams 28 have the configuration disclosed, that is, providing a sudden movement of the kneading members 2| away from the body of the patient. Such movement is obtained by having the high parts of the cams 28 drop sharply away toward the low parts. However, should it be desired other cams may be used which will provide other kneading characteristics. Furthermore, it is contemplated that more or less than two kneading members 2| be used should some other arrangement of kneading members be preferred.

Having described my invention what I desire to secure by Letters Patent and claim is:

l. A device of the character described comprising a table for receiving a patient, kneading means movable with respect to said table, a kneading means'actuator, a cam extending longitudinally of said table having a generally sinuous configuration, and means for moving said kneading means actuator together with said kneading means back and forth along said cam and in operative contact therewith for effecting a periodic movement of said kneading means in kneading relation to the body of the patient on said table.

2. A device of the character described comprising a table for receiving a patient, kneading means movable in a direction substantially normal to said table, a cam extending longitudinally of said tab-1e having a generally sinuous configuration, a pivoted arm operatively connected to said kneading means and operatively engageable with said cam, and means to move said pivoted arm and kneading means relatively to said cam whereby said pivoted arm is rocked and effects a periodic movement of said kneading means in kneading relation to the body of the patient on said table.

A device of the character described comprising a table for receiving a patient, a longitudinal slot in said table, carriage means disposed in said slot and guided for longitudinal movement with respect to said table, kneading means movable normally to said table through said slot and guided by said carriage means, a lever pivoted between its two ends to said carriage means and at one end to said kneading means, means for moving said carriage means longitudinally of said table in said slot, and camming means of sinuous configuration extending longitudinally of said table in engagement with the free end of said lever, whereby when said carriage means is moved longitudinally of said table the free end of said lever rides over said cam, said lever being rocked and imparting to said kneading means a reciprocating motion into kneading relation to the body of the patient on said table.

A device of the character described comprising a table for receiving a patient, a longitudinal slot in said table, carriage means disposed in said slot and guided for longitudinal movement with respect to said table, kneading means movable normally to said table through said slot and guided by said carriage means, a lever pivoted between its two ends to said carriage means and at one end to said kneading means, a screw extending longitudinally of said table and extending through said carriage means for moving said guided means longitudinally of said table in said slot, and camming means of sinuous configuration extending longitudinally of said table in engagement with the free end or" said lever, whereby when said carriage means is moved longitudinally of said table, the free end of said lever rides over said cam, said lever being rocked and imparting to said kneading means a reciprocating motion into kneading relation to the body of the patient on said table.

5. A device of the character described comprising a table for receiving a patient, a longitudinal slot in said table, carriage means disposed in said slot and guided for longitudinal movement with respect to said table, kneading means movable normally to said tab-1e through said slot and guided by said carriage means, a lever pivoted between its two ends to said carriage means and at one end to said kneading means, a screw extending longitudinally of said table and extending through said carriage means for moving said carriage means longitudinally of said table in said slot, means associated with said longitudinal screw for reversing the direction of rotation thereof, and camming means of sinuous configuration extending longitudinally of said table in engagement with the free end of said lever, whereby when said carriage means is reciprocated longitudinally of said table, the free end of said lever rides over said cam, said lever being rocked and imparting to said kneading means a reciprocating motion into kneading relation to the body of the patient on said table.

A device of the character described comprising a table for receiving a patient, kneading means movable with respect to said table, a kneading means actuator, a cam extending longitudinally of said table having a generally sinuous configuration, means for adjusting the configuration of said cam, and means actuator together with said kneading means for moving said kneading means back and forth along said cam and in contact therewith for efiecting a periodic movement of said kneading means in kneading relation to the body of the patient on said table.

7. A device of the character described comprising a table for receiving a patient, a longitudinal slot in said table, carriage means disposed in said slot and guided for longitudinal movement with respect to said table, kneading means movable normally to said table through said slot and guided by said carriage means, a lever pivoted between its two ends to said carriage means and at one end to said kneading means, means for moving said carriage means longitudinally of said table in said slot, camming means of sinuous configuration extending longitudinally of said table in engagement with the free end of said lever whereby when said carriage means is moved longitudinally of said table, the free end of said lever rides over said earn, said lever being rocked and imparting to said kneading means a reciprocating motion into kneading relation to the body of the patient on said table, and means for adjusting the configuration of said camming means.

HENRY O. PETERSEN.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 2,195,882. March 19, 191 0.

HENRY O. PETERSEN.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page-5, sec- 0nd column, lines 8 and 9, claim 6, strike out the words "actuator together with said kneading means" and insert the same after "means" in line 10, same claim; and that the said Letters Patent shouldbe readwith this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of thecase in the Patent Office Signed and sealed this lLith day of May, A. D. l9h0.